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William and Mary , where every branch of the science deemed useful at this day , should be taught in its highest degree . With this view , I have lost no occasion of making myself acquainted with the organization of the
best seminaries in other countries , and with the opinions of the most enlightened individuals on the subject of the sciences , worthy of a place in such an institution . In order to prepare what I had promised our trustees , I have lately revised those several
plans with attention , and I am struck with the diversity of arrangement observable in them , no two being alike . Yet I have no doubt that the&e several arrangements have been the subject of mature reflection , by wise and learned men , who , contemplating local
circumstances , have adapted them to the condition of the section of the society for which they have been framed . I am strengthened in this conclusion , by an examination of each separatel y , and
a conviction that no one of them , if adopted without change , would be suited to the circumstances and pursuits of our country . The example they have set , then , is authority for us to select from their different institutions
the materials which are good for us , arid with them to erect a structure , whose arrangement shall correspond with our own social condition , and shall admit of enlargement in proportion to the encouragement it may merit and receive . As I may not be able to attend the meetings of the
trustees , 1 will make you the depositary of my ideas on the subject , which may be corrected as you proceed , by the better views of others , and adapted from time to time , to the prospects which open upon us , and which cannot now be specifically seen and provided for .
In the first place we must ascertain with precision the object of our institution , by taking a survey of the general field of science , aud marking out the portion we mean to occupy at first , and the ultimate extension of our
Views beyond that , should we be enabled to render it in the end , as comprehensive as we could wish , I . Elementary Schools . It is highly interesting to our country , and it is the duty of its functionaries , to provide that every citizen in it should receive an education
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proportioned to the condition and pursuits of his life . The mass of our citizens may be divided into two classes , the labouring and the learned . The labouring will need the first grade of education to qualify them for
their pursuits and duties : the learned will need it as a foundation for further acquirements . A plan was formerly proposed to the legislature of this state for laying off every county into hundreds or wards of fi v e or six miles ' square , within each of which should
be a school , for the education of the children of the ward , wherein they should receive three years * instruction gratis , in reading , writing arid arithmetic , as far as fractions , the roots and
ratios , and geography . The legislature at one time tried an ineffectual expedient for introducing this plan , which having failed , it is hoped they will some day resume it in a more promising form .
II . General Schools , At the discharge of the pupils from the elementary schools , the two classes separate ; those destined for labour will engage in the business of agriculture , or enter into apprenticeships to such handicraft arts as may be their
choice y their companions destined to the pursuits of science , will proceed to the college , which will consist 1 st of general schools , and 2 nd . of professional schools . The general schools will constitute the second grade of education .
The learned class may still be subdivided into two sections : \ . those who are destined for learned professions as a means of livelihood : and 2 . the wealthy , who , possessing independent fortunes , may aspire to share in conducting the affairs of the nation ,
or to live with usefulness and respect in ' the private ranks of life . Both of these sections will require instruction in all the higher branches of science , the wealthy to qualify them for either public or private life ; the professional section will need those branches
especially , which are the basis of their future profession , and a general knowledge of the others , a » s auxiliary to that , and nec : essary to their standing , and associating with the scientific class . All tire branches then of useful science ought to be taught in the general schools , to a competent extent in the first instance . These sciences may be
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648 Mr . Jefferson ' s Plan of a College for \ Virginia .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Nov. 2, 1817, page 648, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2470/page/8/
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